Boys varsity soccer celebrated senior day with a momentous win against Marin Catholic at Tom Ryan Field on Monday, Jan. 27.
It was the second time the Bulls defeated the Wildcats this season, with their first match in December, but the first time in an official league game, propelling the Bulls into third place in MCAL standings.
Before the game, the team held a small tribute to the senior players, in which the names of seniors on both teams were announced to the crowd. The Bulls celebrated Brody Buxton, Rodrigo Diaz, Bode Dossey, Charley Lightfoot and Owen Xu. Though boys soccer typically plays their home games at the College of Marin field, it is tradition for the team to play their senior day game on Branson’s campus.
“It’s nice to know that people are celebrating the seniors, but I think as a team we’re focused on getting the win,” Buxton said about having the focus of the game be on the seniors. “A win against MC would help us towards securing a playoff spot, so that’s what we’re looking for today.”
Not only did the Bulls get the win they needed, they scored three goals against the Wildcats’ single goal. The scoring started when Cooper Little ‘26 netted an excellent header that put the Bulls on the board with 3:24 left in the first half. Diaz also scored off a header midway through the second half to make the score 2–0. The Wildcats briefly cut it to a one goal lead with 14 minutes left, before Shiloh Williams ‘27 put the game out of reach, scoring another goal with five minutes left.
“I thought it was huge for the team morale,” Little said. “Before the game, coach told us to play for the seniors. I felt like my goal really boosted the team’s confidence.”
Little said about the team as a whole, “I feel like our potential is limitless. We have such good chemistry and energy that I think we can do really big things in the playoffs.”
A playoffs berth would mark the second consecutive MCAL playoffs appearance for the Bulls. Prior to last season, they had not made the playoffs since the 2013–14 season. This year, the top six teams qualify for the tournament.
The Bulls have two league games remaining, against last-placed Novato on Jan. 29 and fourth-placed Terra Linda on Feb. 2. The Bulls control their own destiny, meaning that if they win out they will guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs. They could also clinch a playoff spot by a pairing of a win over Novato and one loss each by San Marin and San Rafael to other teams.
Goalkeeper Niccolo Machotka-Farley ‘26 knows that his team will need to stay sharp to keep their season on the right track.
“This year especially, we’ve had to realize that there’s not going to be an easy game in MCAL,” he said. “The league is much more competitive than last year. We have to be ready and expect the unexpected in each game.”
The Bulls learned this lesson earlier in the season, when they suffered a loss to eighth-placed San Marin 1–2.
“I hope we can make a deep run this year,” Machotka-Farley continued. “Maybe even win a championship if we’re playing at the right level.”
Machokta-Farley had an excellent game on Monday, amassing a number of impressive saves and holding a previously unbeaten team to only one goal.
If the Bulls are able to hold onto their current standing, they can expect to play in the MCAL playoffs starting Feb. 10. A play-in game will be held if necessary on Feb. 8 in the case of a tie for sixth place. The MCAL championship is scheduled for Feb. 15 at San Rafael High School.
